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Alice Hoffman
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The Foretelling Paperback – September 6, 2006

by Alice Hoffman (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,242 ratings
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A coming-of-age story that pierces the soul and heals the spirit, this is the tale of the future leader of the Amazon women warriors. Rain must hold fast to her inner warrior, but she is startled and mystified by the first stirrings of mercy towards the enemy.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    12 years and up
  2. Print length
    192 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    7 and up
  5. Dimensions
    4.63 x 0.75 x 8 inches
  6. Publisher
    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  7. Publication date
    September 6, 2006
  8. ISBN-10
    0316154091
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0316154093
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alice Hoffman is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 15 acclaimed novels beloved by teens and adults, from Green Angel, Indigo, and Aquamarine to The Ice Queen, Here on Earth (an Oprah Book Club selection), and Practical Magic, which was made into a major motion picture starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. The Foretelling is Hoffman's fourth young adult novel.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (September 6, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316154091
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316154093
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.01 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.63 x 0.75 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,242 ratings

About the author

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Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman

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Alice Hoffman is the author of thirty works of fiction, including Practical Magic, The Dovekeepers, Magic Lessons, and, most recently, The Book of Magic. She lives in Boston. Her new novel, The Invisible Hour, is forthcoming in August 2023. Visit her website: www.alicehoffman.com

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
1,242 global ratings
Told like an ancient fable! Unique writing style.
4 Stars
Told like an ancient fable! Unique writing style.
“The Foretelling” is the first novel I’ve read from acclaimed author Alice Hoffman. I’ve already bought another book of hers because this one was just so good! It tells the story of a girl named Rain, who is the daughter of a Queen. Her name means sorrow, because she was conceived from her mother being raped by 50 men. Because of that, the Queen is very cold and unloving towards her, and Rain must live with that. In this tale, Rain lives in an ancient time where Amazon warriors ruled the lands and slaughtered men with ease. But Rain is confronted with visions of a different destiny for her people. One that moves against everything she’s ever known. It’s a dark, coming-of-age story but it is very relatable and accessible. I found the writing style especially unique. It was told like an old fable or how someone would tell their story out loud. The author really allows the reader to imagine the unspoken details, and that’s what I loved most about it. Some may view the author as “telling” instead of showing, and I think that was the perfect choice, because I was able to speed through it without being bogged down with fluff and filler. It’s a quick read (I finished the book in a few days) and it’s unputdownable! It has a slow and repetitive start, but it gets better and better. Definitely recommend this unique story!
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Top reviews from the United States

GodIsVictorious
5.0 out of 5 stars if you loved "Clan of the Cave bear" series& "Mists of Avalon" you will love this...
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2019
Verified Purchase
It is rare that a book awakens women to our core potential, power, poise & ability to stand alone- this book does, and more. Imagine subsistence survival of a tribe of women, after the last ice age, without a brutal patriarchy. This is that book. It is an antidote to the cloying romance novels whose chief message seems to be that that penultimate goal of life is great sex, marriage, children and you'll never have to think again unless it is to support your clan from a perverted, casually cruel king. This book helps one to remember a time of goddess worship; that inner core of strength, knowing, creation, & destruction. Enjoy your awakening!
8 people found this helpful
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Rabh Marrach
4.0 out of 5 stars A dream like narrative based in the Bronze Age
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2021
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Written in a narrative style that isn't for everyone, this rather short tale gives insight into a primitive society of Amazon horse nomads. Told by Rain, the Queen-to-be who was conceived by a rape, she develops into a grown woman who must decide what path she will take.

The narrative is dream-like with little conversation and mostly told from Rain's POV. The Amazon myth is flushed out with a full society of women. This tale will interest mostly those who have some familiarity with the Bronze Age, archeology, and the cultural heritage we know from what they left behind.

However, it lacks the true punch of say, The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker, or The Women's Way by Jenna Glass.

While I enjoyed the story, as someone long familiar with horses, I felt the horse knowledge (especially considering this is a nomadic tribe of horsewomen) was lacking. There was nothing there that a non-horse person couldn't have written: bridle, stirrup, riding. Nothing about real horse care, horse illnesses, or even riding itself other then Rain could do trick riding.

It was too odd for me to believe that the Amazon group was so warlike that they didn't understand compassion or mercy. Really? Those aren't modern concepts and I find it hard to believe that a group of women living together wouldn't understand these ideas no matter how primitive the culture. Instead of being social construct, it was really about Rain's mother's attitude which should have been clarified a bit better I think.
15 people found this helpful
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floy kaku
3.0 out of 5 stars Strong Women Die Hard
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2017
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Although some interesting facts were melded with a story of an Amazon woman, I found the novel fell short in some places and made me yearn for more. My mind kept comparing the pop-culture image of "Wonder Woman" found in comics and film rather than actual historical facts that revealed the myths and legends of yore.
4 people found this helpful
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Nancy J. Cohen
5.0 out of 5 stars Foretelling: a story to begin other stories
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020
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In a world of warrior women, Rain is born in sorrow, the product of her young mother’s rape by 50 cowards. He mother the Queen seems to have no love for her. In Foretelling, Rain learns what it is to be a ruler and the great sacrifices her mother, likely as her foremothers did, must make. Usha the Bear sister, Sky the horse sister, and Io the sister of her heart guard her on the journey to queen hood. A beautiful and heartfelt tale that grasps the universal travails of women in a deeply constrained society. Gorgeous read.
9 people found this helpful
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hejiaoning
4.0 out of 5 stars A very easy read
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2019
Verified Purchase
I didn't expect this to be the type of book where you end up losing sleep because you have to see what happens. It's a quiet narrative, not a lot of action even though there is fighting.
The story is a tribe of Amazon women and what happens when a Queen dies. The main character is the heir and the story takes us thru how she is raised. The ending wasn't what I expected, but was perfect for the story.
8 people found this helpful
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elizabeth
5.0 out of 5 stars otherworldly
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2022
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Alice Hoffman brings the magic always. An old Russian fairy tale retold by the Master Story teller. I so enjoyed and wish other readers the same enjoyment.
3 people found this helpful
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Liz-ard
5.0 out of 5 stars Anoputdowner
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2021
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I loved the book and all the characters, even those who chose unwisely. The sisterly love between Rain and Lo, the bear, and horse. The hope for peace which still eludes humankind. May the God help us.
2 people found this helpful
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William S. Parson
3.0 out of 5 stars A easy relaxing read
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2021
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Just the right kind of book for a relaxing read, simple easy fare, a story that takes the reader to another place and time.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Apricot
5.0 out of 5 stars The Foretelling
Reviewed in Canada on November 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
With so much technology in our lives, we are slowly allowing our traditions, our generational stories, and the old "wives tales" from our female line; to yellow and slowly fade to the point that the writing is hard to see. The Foretellng welcomes us, has silent guests, to witness the lives of the Amazonian tribe - specifically through the eyes of " the soon to be queen " - who struggles in her relationship with her mother, her own belief in their traditions and " making a place for herself" out from under the shadow of all that have come before. It really is inspirational for all age groups - cause we all have shadows.
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sue book worm
4.0 out of 5 stars Good!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2019
Verified Purchase
Alice Hoffman is one of my favourite authors. I literally read anything she writes. The Foretelling is a young adult novel. It's a tale of warrior women and a prophecy of a young Queen-to-be. Good for older children.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on March 24, 2017
Verified Purchase
It was an awesome book.
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Gilis
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on March 23, 2017
Verified Purchase
Good easy read.
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Sean Talbot
2.0 out of 5 stars Historical
Reviewed in Canada on November 8, 2020
Verified Purchase
Disappointing read for me. I didn't find the story to my liking and the blurb made it sound so great.

I just wasn't feeling this book as I found tbe story also lacking for me. I was hoping for so much more.
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